History of the Battles, Conflicts and Soldiers of the American Revolution War

The Battle of Long Island: The American Revolutionary War, the soldiers and the famous battles of the conflict

Battle of Long IslandBattle of Long Island Definition: The Battle of Long Island was a military conflict between the Kingdom of Great Britain and its thirteen colonies in North America during the American Revolutionary War (1775-1783). The year and date that the Battle of Long Island took place on Tuesday, August 27, 1776. This was the first battle to take place following the signing of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. The battlefield in which the British and American Forces fought during the Battle of Long Island was located in Brooklyn Heights, Long Island, New York. The Battle of Long Island ended in defeat for General Washington and Patriot troops. Soon after the battle a fire broke out in New York City and destroyed over 300 buildings.

Battle of Long Island - Harlem Heights

Overview and Summary of the Battle of Long IslandThe Battle of Long Island is also referred to as the Battle of Brooklyn Heights and took place on Tuesday, August 27, 1776 at Long Island, New York. The very day of the evacuation of British forces following the Siege of Boston on March 17, 1776, George Washington ordered 5 regiments of the Colonial Army to New York. The American troops were positioned on the outskirts of New York City on a series of hills in Brooklyn, he was intent on defending New York falling to the British, but knew he would not be able to withstand a siege. The new British commander-in-chief was General William Howe who had led in the field at the Battle of Bunker Hill. The British first sailed to Halifax and did not begin the campaign in New York until the end of August. The British force consisted of 400 warships, each ship was equipped with 16 cannon and carried 1000 troops ready to storm the beaches after landing. General William Howe landed his soldiers, bolstered by German Hessian mercenaries, on Long Island smashing the militia's camps with cannonball fire. He was able to divide the Continental Army in two and captured one part of it. This strategic success brought the British to the foot of Brooklyn Heights. On the top of Brooklyn Heights was a fort. Howe delayed attacking the fort which enabled Washington time to retreat and were safely ferried the rest of the American army across to New York. When the British eventually marched to the attack, there was no one left in the fort on Brooklyn Heights. The British Army then stormed through the small city of New York, setting it ablaze.

American Snipers

The main groups of the Continental Army retreated from New York City but a small band of American Sharpshooters hid 30ft off of the main trail looking for the British as they marched after the American militia. The colonial snipers broke the rules of war and aimed not at the soldiers but fired on the officers on horseback. These tactics were highly successful as without the commands from their offices the British troops were thrown into confusion.

The British troops retreated to the safety of New York City but had achieved victory in the Battle of Long Island, New York. The next major conflict between the two armies would be the Battle of White Plains.

The Importance and Significance of the Battle of Long IslandSignificance of the Battle of Long Island: The significance of the conflict was that U.S. forces were forced to retreat to Manhattan, then New Jersey. However, their defensive tactics proved to be highly successful against the British.

Facts about the Battle of Long IslandFacts about who fought in the Battle of Long Island and who were the leaders of the conflict. Facts about where the Battle of Long Island was fought, the location of the battlefield. Facts and stats about the number of troops involved in the conflict and the numbers of those who were killed, wounded, missing in action or captured. Interesting history and facts about the Battle of Long Island:

Fast Facts about the Battle of Long Island

Name of Conflict:

Battle of Long Island

Result of the Battle of Long Island:

The Battle of Long Island ended in victory for the British

Location of Battlefield:

The battlefield was located in Long Island, New York

Date of the Battle of Long Island:

Tuesday, August 27, 1776

Combatants:

The British Army and the Hessians fought against the Americans

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Battle of Long Island

American Colonies

British Forces

Names of Leaders & Commanders:

George WashingtonIsrael PutnamWilliam Alexander

Lord Charles CornwallisSir Henry ClintonSir William Howe

Strength of Forces:

10000

20000

Number of men killed in the Battle of Long Island:

300

64

Number of men wounded:

800

293

Number of men captured:

1000

31

The following picture represents some of the early designs of the American flag. The idea of flying a flag grew from the requirements of ancient warfare and the battlefield and used as a rallying point for troops.

American Revolutionary war - The Battle of Long IslandThe American Revolutionary War (1775-1783), which included the Battle of Long Island, was the culmination of the political American Revolution, in which many of the American colonists rejected the legitimacy of the British Parliament to govern the 13 colonies without representation.

The Battle of Long Island

The year and date of the Battle of Long Island

Facts, stats and history of the Battle of Long Island

Fast Facts and info about the Battle of Long Island and the Revolutionary War